Ozone molecules are composed of three oxygen atoms (O3). Ozone exists high in the earth's atmosphere and absorbs solar radiation.

Reports of using ozone for medicinal purposes date to the late 19th Century. In modern times, ozone therapists have used different forms of ozone to treat a wide variety of conditions. There has been little scientific study of ozone as a therapy.

Ozone has recently been subjected to criticism regarding its toxicity and effectiveness for a variety of conditions. Its use is increasingly widespread, often according to well-defined and generally safe protocols.

Currently, there is a lack of good scientific evidence for the use of ozone therapy for any indication.

Ozone therapists have suggested that the three oxygen atoms in ozone may have health benefits beyond the two oxygen atoms that are more commonly found in air.

A number of different techniques are used to treat people with ozone. Ozone may be mixed with water and then taken by mouth or introduced into a body cavity, such as the vagina or rectum. Autohemotherapy (AHT) is a technique that withdraws blood from the body, mixes it with ozone gas, and then injects it back into the body through a vein or muscle. Water enriched with ozone has also been injected into joints of the body for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Ozone or hydrogen peroxide may be injected, or blood may be withdrawn, enriched with ozone, then reinjected into the body after being treated in a quartz container with UVB radiation.

Ozone-enriched water or vegetable oil has been used on the skin to treat wounds, burns, infections, or insect bites.

Ozone "bagging" technique submerges the body (except for the head) in a bag containing ozone for up to two hours. Ozone insufflation involves blowing ozone gas into body orifices, such as the ear, colon, or vagina. Ozone air purification has been hypothesized to sterilize or "rejuvenate" room air. Ozone drinking water and ozone saunas are also available. Cupping is an ozone therapy that concentrates ozone over a particular area of the body.

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

GRADE *

Although ozone may inhibit the growth of human cancer cells in culture, there is a lack of human evidence supporting the use of ozone in cancer therapy.

C

Autohemotherapy (AHT) is a technique that withdraws blood from the body, mixes it with ozone gas, and then injects it back into the body through a vein or muscle. There is limited preliminary study of AHT in a small number of patients with history of a heart attack. A decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein ("bad") cholesterol was reported. However, this research was not well designed. In one preliminary study, ozone therapy displayed promising effects in the management of the atherosclerosis. Ozone therapy has also been studied as a treatment for ischemic disorders, which result in reduced blood flow to an organ or tissue. Better information is necessary before a firm conclusion can be reached.

C

There is preliminary evidence that ozone therapy may have modest benefits in the arresting or reversing of the progression of dental caries. However, there is not enough evidence to show that ozone therapy can prevent postsurgical dental infections. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Ozone therapy and hemoperfusion (a process to remove toxins from the blood) have been studied as a possible treatment for diabetes mellitus in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. More trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Ozone therapy has been used to treat complications related to diabetes, such as diabetic foot. However, there is not enough evidence to show that ozone therapy may treat or prevent complications in diabetic patients.

C

Ozone therapy may have antiseptic effects and prevent some infections. However, there is not enough evidence to show that ozone therapy can prevent fungal infections.

C

Ozone therapy has been suggested for the rehabilitation of both children and adults with hearing loss. The use of an oxygen-ozone mixture may show promise when used in adults. More trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Ozone therapy has been used to treat Helicobacter pylori infections, which are known to cause peptic ulcers, gastritis, and duodenitis. However, very few studies have shown ozone therapy to be an effective treatment for H. pylori infections.

C

In preliminary research, OzonyTron®, a device used to generate ozone, was used in patients with lip herpes. However, there is not enough evidence to show that ozone therapy can prevent oral herpes infections (cold sores).

C

Ozone-treated blood has been studied in the treatment of HIV, associated infections, and AIDS-related diarrhea. More studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Ozone therapy has been used for various inflammatory conditions. Some benefit has been noted. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Preliminary evidence suggests that ozone therapy may relieve lumbar sciatic pain. However, there is not enough research showing that ozone therapy is an acceptable alternative to standard treatments for sciatic pain. Oxygen-ozone therapy is also reportedly a minimally invasive treatment for lumbar disk herniation. Further research is needed before conclusions can be made.

C

Ozone therapy combined with pressure-pulse treatment resulted in no significant benefit for patients with Méničre's disease. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Limited research suggests that ozone therapy may provide some benefit in a combined treatment for otitis media. Additional research is needed before any recommendations can be made.

C

Ozone therapy may improve blood flow and urethral, prostatic microcirculation in patients diagnosed with prostatitis. More well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Preliminary evidence suggests that ozone therapy may reduce hematuria (blood in the urine) caused by radiation. However, additional evidence is necessary before recommendations can be made.

C

OzonyTron®, a device for the generation of ozone, was used in patients with seborrheal inflammation of facial skin. Further evidence is needed before a recommendation can be made.

C

According to limited research, irrigation of the paranasal sinuses with an ozone-oxygen mixture may help promote recovery from sinusitis. More well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this useB: Good scientific evidence for this useC: Unclear scientific evidence for this useD: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety
Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

The safety of various types of ozone therapy has not been systematically studied. Because ozone is a toxic gas, the safety of ozone therapy has been questioned. A case of death has been reported due to gas embolism. Caution is advised.

Serious side effects may occur from the introduction of ozone into the body, including shortness of breath, blood vessel swelling, poor circulation, heart problems, or stroke. Autohemotherapy has been associated with transmission of viral hepatitis and with a possible case of dangerously lowered blood cell counts. Patients are advised to make sure that fresh or sterile needles are used for any medical procedure.

Insufflation (blowing ozone into the ear) may carry a risk of tympanic membrane ("ear drum") damage, and colon insufflation may increase the risk of bowel rupture. There is one case of a patient with HIV becoming psychotic with hallucinations while receiving ozone therapy, but it is not clear that ozone was the cause. It is not recommended to rely on ozone therapies alone to treat potentially dangerous medical conditions.

Ozone therapy may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications, herbs, or supplements that may also lower blood sugar.

Use cautiously in patients with respiratory disorders such as asthma.

Ozone therapy is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.